Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 74
Important but painful July 26, 2010 Christine Prescott (Missoula, MT)
To say "I like this book" probably isn't really true. I don't much like someone to hold up a mirror so that I can see my pride and my sin. Bridges points out, correctly, that "we appear to be more concerned about the sins of society than we are the sins of the saints." We think our "respectable" sins aren't really sins compared to the "real" sins others commit.
Bridges gives us this "bad news" and the great news that our sins are forgiven. I especially appreciated the idea that when I acknowledge my sin God walks beside me, not just to tell me that my sin is not counted against me but also to fight alongside me in the battle with the sin in my life.
Among the 14 different respectable sins the author includes are anger, anxiety, pride, impatience and sins of the tongue. He does not simply beat us over the head with these "respectable" sins but shows us the importance of acknowledging that we are sinners and how to conquer, with the help of the Holy Spirit, the sins in our lives.
Great for small group study July 7, 2010 Michelle While the book stands along, this book, along with the discussion guide, is great. I am currently using this as a small group study. It gets you thinking about those 'little' sins that most all Christians push under the rug! After just 1 group discussion, everyone is excited about the rest of the study!
Respectable Sins is Respectable Read June 11, 2010 J. Gunning When I saw that Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges was available for review through NavPress, I jumped at the chance to review it. It's $20, but I honestly would have paid $30 for it. Thankfully, I have been blessed to be able to read it for free!
This is a book that takes time to chew. I don't think it needs to take as long as it took me (all the craziness in my life put reviewing on hold outside of The Crew), but it shouldn't be a book you read through in a day or two. I recommend reading a chapter or two, digesting it, praying about it, and then moving forward. A good two weeks is a good time-line, in my mind.
Whereas The Pursuit of Holiness seemed to go over the "larger" issues in our walk, Respectable Sins goes over things that seem "small" to many of us - but Jerry Bridges correctly points out to his readers that the subtle sins that we tolerate are just a big of a deal to God as those that seem big to us.
Some of the issues Jerry Bridges goes over are: Ungodliness, discontentment, sins of the tongue, anger, worldliness, and anxiety. He goes over many more issues, but those are just a few topics.
Not only does he go over why these are sin-issues, but he also gives practical application on how we can allow the Holy Spirit to move in us and how we can actively work to rid ourselves of these sins.
The most predominate theme throughout the book is that we all sin. Not one of us is sinless, and we must look to ourselves when we speak of sin, rather than focusing on the sin of other folks.
This will be a permanent part of my library and go on my once-a-year reading list. I highly recommend this convicting, encouraging read!
Prepare For Bloody Toes! May 5, 2010 Barry Dunlap (Hammond, Louisiana) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
A couple of days ago, I finished reading Jerry Bridges' latest book. Respectable Sins was a fairly slow read. One can only break so many toes at once. Bridges' voice and tone are much like having a casual coffee with a good friend. He acknowledges his own sin and presents the various topics with much grace. Nonetheless, he pulls back the logs of our everyday lives to expose the wormy underworld of the sins we so often tolerate in ourselves and those close to us.
The two big ideas for me in this book are as follows: First, a solid reminder that the gospel is not for lost people, but for sinners. Second, the primary sin that we put up with that holds the door for so many others is what Bridges refers to as ungodliness. Simply put, he means the sin of living our everyday lives as if God does not truly exist. From there, all manner of subtle wickedness takes hold in even the most churched among us.
If you're looking for a challenge, pick up a copy of this book and read slowly. Then, get ready for a dose of conviction.
Respectable Sins April 3, 2010 kcjones (Iowa) 1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is an awesome book! It is well written, easy to read, but oh so convicting! We grieve the Holy Spirit daily without realizing it. This book will open your eyes to ways we as Christians can be more aware of the small things we don't even think of as sin.
I highly recommend reading this book!
Showing reviews 1-5 of 74
|